“So is Gladys in this with Chief Okrika?”
“I don‘t know about Gladys, I‘ve not had the chance to speak with her. I‘m actually trying not to think about that; I need all my wits about me if we‘re to pull off our plans in the ten days we have.”
Mrs. Olayomi started to say something and then kept quiet.
“But proving that those shares were obtained in an irregular way could stop the takeover in its tracks …”
“Benibo, this is now more than just the takeover, and you know that.” Edward sat forward forcefully. “No one is taking this company for any reason…”
“Edward, this could be a vendetta. It doesn‘t matter what the bidder‘s fine print says, it boils down to what the motives are for Chief Okrika. We can end it just by taking this matter up with the stock exchange and SEC.”
“I run this company as it should be run. We‘ve grown and expanded and I‘ll not have my managerial style and results questioned, least of all by Chief Okrika and his likes.”
Benibo tried to pacify him. “OK OK, if you think that‘s the best way to go fine…”
“Yes I think so, and it‘s quite late in the day for you to raise these objections to plans we already agreed on. I travel tonight as will three other directors and we‘ll be travelling twice more in the next weeks. So don‘t drag us back now because you think this may be just a vendetta…”
“That‘s enough from both of you.” Mrs. Olayomi stood up and held up both hands. “Edward, you do what you have to do and we‘ll manage affairs at this end. I‘ll advise though, that you send out a message to your fiancée to let her know whatever you‘re doing. It‘s not a good thing for couples to be so disconnected. But we‘ve said all we came to.” She gestured at Benibo and he stood too. “Get ready for your trip and we‘ll talk when you get back.”
When they left the boardroom, Edward threw back his head and let out a gust of air. He picked up his phone and began to dial.
**********
Gladys paced the length of Aunt Isioma‘s living room biting her nails in worry. Since her meeting with Chief Okrika, she‘d been calling Edward on both his mobile and office phone. The mobile was switched off, and he‘d told his secretary not to transfer any calls to him. She was angry and contemplated going over to his office to make a scene when the phone rang. The caller ID said ‗Call 1‘; she hoped that Edward had relented and made a move. Her heart began to race.